attain

[ uh-teyn ]

/ əˈteɪn /

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See synonyms for: attain / attained / attaining / attains on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to reach, achieve, or accomplish; gain; obtain: to attain one's goals.

to come to or arrive at, especially after some labor or tedium; reach: to attain the age of 96;to attain the mountain peak.

verb (used without object)

to arrive at or succeed in reaching or obtaining something (usually followed by to or unto): to attain to knowledge.

to reach in the course of development or growth: These trees attain to remarkable height.

OTHER WORDS FOR attain

1 secure.

See synonyms for attain on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR attain

1, 2 miss.

See antonyms for attain on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of attain

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English atei(g)nen, from Anglo-French, Old French ateign- (stem of ateindre ), from unattested Vulgar Latin attangere (for Latin attingere ), equivalent to Latin at- at- + tangere “to touch”

synonym study for attain

1. See gain¹.

OTHER WORDS FROM attain

at·tain·er, nounre·at·tain, verb (used with object)un·at·tain·ing, adjective

Words nearby attain

attachment theory, attack, attack ad, attack dog, attagirl, attain, attainable, attainder, attained, attainment, attainment target

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use attain in a sentence

Learning how to conduct marketing research is one of the most important marketing skills you can attain.
How to drive digital innovation necessary during the pandemic|Nick Chasinov|September 16, 2020|Search Engine Watch
It’s really something we only offer our best partners when we can attain it.
Why We'll See More 1,000-Fill Down Jackets This Fall|Ryan Wichelns|September 12, 2020|Outside Online
Those premiums are based on your attained age and your health, as well as the value of your home and the payoff amount.
Determining your insurance needs|Valerie Blake|September 12, 2020|Washington Blade
She told them to “contact any and all resources to try to attain proper PPE.”
Sent Home to Die|by Annie Waldman and Joshua Kaplan|September 2, 2020|ProPublica

In particle physics, tiny fundamental particles can attain properties by interactions with other particles or fields.
The universe might have a fundamental clock that ticks very, very fast|Emily Conover|July 13, 2020|Science News
“The U.S. Navy will attain IOC [initial operational capability] in 2018 with 3F software,” DellaVedova wrote.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She sends a miniature of her own image to the court, envious that it will enjoy a proximity she will never attain.
Sor Juana: Mexico’s Most Erotic Poet and Its Most Dangerous Nun|Katie Baker|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Dahl went on to attain nationwide fame and his own syndicated broadcast as a result of Disco Demolition Night.
Of Gamers, Gates, and Disco Demolition: The Roots of Reactionary Rage|Arthur Chu|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How did bigotry attain such power, and how was it so encoded into our laws?
How Gay Marriage Was Won: Prop 8’s Destruction Captured In HBO Movie|Tim Teeman|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before you attempt this risky fashion move, you need to attain the chest necessary to fill out even the most modest of V-necks.
Jude Law and the Great Male ‘He-Vage’ Crisis|Tim Teeman|May 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Few persons can attain to adult life without being profoundly impressed by the appalling inequalities of our human lot.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
The object of this practise is to attain facility in manipulating the elements while maintaining the smooth quality of the tone.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
I study your language in your Dickens, in your Thackeray; at last I attain proficiency.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
The Perique and Louisiana tobacco are the principal varieties cultivated, and attain nearly the size of Connecticut seed leaf.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
To attain this end the student should begin by pacing some length of road where the distances are well known.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler

British Dictionary definitions for attain

attain

/ (əˈteɪn) /

verb

(tr) to achieve or accomplish (a task, goal, aim, etc)

(tr) to reach or arrive at in space or timeto attain old age

(intr often foll by to) to arrive (at) with effort or exertionto attain to glory

Derived forms of attain

attainable, adjectiveattainability or attainableness, noun

Word Origin for attain

C14: from Old French ateindre, from Latin attingere to reach, from tangere to touch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

attain

OTHER WORDS FOR attain

OPPOSITES FOR attain

Origin of attain

synonym study for attain

OTHER WORDS FROM attain

Words nearby attain

Words related to attain

How to use attain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for attain

Derived forms of attain

Word Origin for attain